Good Korma! 24 Simple Vegan Curry Recipes

By Anisha Mistry

What’s your comfort food? Peanut butter and jelly on toast? Mashed potatoes? A big bowl of pasta? Being from Indian origins, I wanted to share some deliciously diverse vegan curry recipes, since curry is definitely my personal favourite go-to when I need some food that’s like a hug.

Although many curries in India or Thailand are vegetarian, fewer are actually vegan, since ghee (clarified butter) is a typical ingredient. But vegan curries are easy to make, and packed with nutritious ingredients like chickpeas, lentils, spices, beans, veggies, tofu, and sometimes even fruits! Oh, and when we talk about ‘spices’, we’re not referring to chili-hot spices necessarily, but those that provide flavour – the fragrance of the food, if you will.

And those fragrances have major health benefits, too: if you’ve not got time to grind your own spices,even store bought curry powder has a number of valuable health benefits, including the prevention of cancer, protection against heart disease, reducing Alzheimer’s symptoms, easing pain and inflammation, boosting bone health, protecting the immune system from bacterial infections, and increasing the liver’s functionality. Just make sure your curry powder is an organic one like this; otherwise it may have been dosed with radiation to maintain ‘freshness’ (yes, seriously!)

For me, it’s all about the textures, too – from soft, buttery naan to creamy sauces and choosing just the right type of fresh spices. When picking chillies, it’s a matter of taste and smell. Some are sweeter, even fruity, and some have a smoky depth to their flavour. Turmeric and ginger can be (and if you ask me, should be) freshly shredded, not bought powdered, but do whatever you can to get the freshest possible spices; it will make a huge difference to how your curry tastes.

But shredding your spices is the biggest hassle you’ll have with these easy curry recipes. They may look complex, but most can be made within 20 minutes. Whether you’re a carnivore, a pescetarian, or a vegetarian, you’ll find the burst of complex flavours you’re looking for in these curry recipes for vegans.

1. Carrot Spiced Rice with Creamy Almond ‘Yogurt’

This dish has a combination of qualities which especially please the senses. It is a pleasurable vegan supper with a creamy almond ‘yogurt’ accompaniment to balance out the spiced carrot. This recipe is a great reminder of how curries are perfect for any weather, and any season.

3. Nutty Mushroom and Coriander Pilaf

If your tastebuds are itching to discover new flavours, try this Nutty Mushroom and Coriander Pilaf recipe. With subtle, homely flavours, it’s definitely a crowd pleaser – just serve with a leafy salad to make the perfect meal.

6. Sweet Potato Curry

When nothing else will do and if you are looking for an easy cleanup, this one-pot wonder will have your calorie-conscious houseguests indulging in spoonfuls of deep, satisfying flavour and your non-veggie guests questioning meat, what?

8. Vegan Paneer Tikka Masala

This is an incredibly mouth-watering, vegan version of a traditional paneer tikka masala. With depth of flavour in a luscious thick sauce, from slowly infusing spices, just remember to stock up on lots of garlicky naan bread for an easy cleanup.

9. Pad Prik King

This is actually a Thai curry, which packs heat and is quite fragrant. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner with layers of complex flavours that make it really moreish. It works well spooned over steamed rice or boiled noodles. This recipe uses fish sauce but don’t panic – I’ve got you covered! Just substitute it for an equally tasty vegan free version called Nuoc Mam Chay.

12. Korma Curry

Creamy and comforting with smooth, velvety textures, this is a dish we all crave on those cold, rainy days where we just want to curl up in front of the TV and watch iconic movies with a glass or two of wine.

13. Lemongrass and Coconut Curry with Summer Vegetables

This one is bursting with flavours – but it’s a bit hot. Can you handle it? If so, this is an incredibly easy recipe to cook at home, which is so versatile, using easily accessible seasonal ingredients, for the stressed meat-abstaining foodie.

15. Indian Daikon Curry

16. Chickpea and Eggplant Curry with Mint Chutney

Don’t be intimidated by the list of ingredients – this recipe requires a rough blend of herbs and spices to give you a burst of aromatic and fresh popping flavour. The list may be long, but it’s just a question of shopping the spices. Once made, you’ll find yourself gulping down this delicious curry all too easily!

17. Spicy Cabbage and Potato Curry

Sometimes simplicity is best. With humble ingredients you can enjoy something truly spectacular. I prefer this recipe cooked over a wood burning barbecue to enjoy crunchy cabbage leaves with charred edges, served with sweet and sour pickle.

18. Curried Carrots with Pecans

This is real life magic! Perfect as a quick snack, last minute entertaining or picnics. I like to mix mine up with oven roasted cashews and sometimes change the carrots for vegetables I have to hand, such as parsnips or squash.

20. Easy Bean Sprout Curry

A quick, healthy and vegan option for those days you need a quick meal. Cooked with a few spices, they are a tiny treat which are exquisite when tucked into little pockets of naan bread, turning it into something deeply satisfying, filling and dense.

21. Simple Chickpea Curry

Coconut milk and chickpeas are a marriage made in heaven. The nuttiness of the chickpeas is enhanced by the sweetness of the coconut milk, and the addition of the Indian flavours are just the ‘spicing’ on the cake!

22. Thai Green Curry With Zoodles

23. Coconut Curry with Tofu

If you want something a bit meatier, so to speak, this curry is for you. The crispy tofu makes a great contrast to the creamy chickpeas and coconut milk. If you love eating tofu as your vegan protein, you may want to check these recipes out, too.